Photo by Ben Stas
To a certain kind of rock fan, Guided By Voices might as well be the Rolling Stones: long, running, hard-partying institutions that still go unfathomably hard despite their singers being old enough to qualify for AARP benefits. With a frankly absurd output and an enigmatic lyrical style, the Dayton, Ohioans led by former schoolteacher Robert Pollard are a band that’s easy to get lost in.
If the Clash were the only band that ever mattered, Guided By Voices might be the only band you ever need, and they’ve garnered a cultish following befitting such a status. They have their own beer, their own festival, and, the one true signifier of obsessive fandom, a vibrant tribute act scene.
This month, four of the country’s premiere GBV cover bands descend on Somerville’s Warehouse XI on February 10 for Forever Since Heedfest, a tribute to Guided by Voices. Headliners Guided by Choices are joined by Cul de Sac Kids, Blatant Doom Trip and Teenage FBI.
Fans of the band will have as close to a dream lineup as possible: four sets of wall-to-wall Pollard. For the bands, though, covering such a totemic pillar of rock’s underground might seem daunting. For starters, how do you choose a setlist from a songbook that’s well into the triple-digits? “For me, the challenge of playing in Guided By Choices is not only putting on a kick ass show that really has all of the energy and brilliance of the songs, but also communicating that through to an audience,” said bassist Garret Vandermolen. “It’s kind of like a lot of pressure, but at the same time it’s also a tremendous amount of fun! And I think that’s what this band really brings to the table when we play live – we’re clearly all having way too much fucking fun.”
Though Forever Since Heedfest can safely be called “for the heads,” new fans will get an essential GBV experience. “Though it’s daunting to the outsider, the sheer volume and prolific nature of Robert Pollard and the Pollard-verse is a welcoming place, and I feel, particularly in live performance, that there’s a generosity of spirit that lets the audience feel that they’re part of what’s going on on stage in a way that I don’t see with hardly any other bands,” said Guided By Choices singer Anthony Kaczynski.”Plus, the songs fucking rule!” Fuckin’ A.
The show will also feature a photo gallery from local faves Tim Bugbee and Ben Stas. Prints will be available to purchase and will benefit Pam Mitchell, wife of Guided by Voices member Nick Mitchell, who recently suffered a debilitating stroke. Tickets are on sale now, and you’ll save $5 if you buy in advance. That’s beer money right there.